A forensic accountancy eye for detail
Undisputed forensic accounting expertise
Our forensic accounting team are highly experienced in dealing with a variety of civil, criminal, corporate or personal legal claims and disputes. We’ll help you get to the financial heart of the matter with a personalised, cost-effective approach.
A forensic accountancy eye for detail
Forensic accounting deals largely with the detection and prevention of financial crimes so if you’re facing or commissioning a financial, fraud or regulatory investigation, our experienced teams will comfortably integrate with you to dig deep and help resolve the matter.
But we can also advise on non contentious issues, where you can also draw on our skills to value shares for tax planning and many other circumstances that do not involve an active dispute.
From dealing with complex financial transactions to sifting through high volumes of data, financial records, statements, and documents we can take a distracting, time-consuming task off your hands so that you can focus on running your business.
Arrange an appointment and discuss your needs today.
Accountancy data analytics
We use our own technology to dig into the data and detect any evidence of sophisticated fraud.
Non-disputes
We can also draw on our skills to value shares for tax planning and many other circumstances that do not involve an active dispute.
Time is of the essence
We act quickly and efficiently during investigations to minimise damage, while balancing the demands of being thorough and accurate.
Forensic accounting services we offer include:
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Our forensic accounting team are highly experienced in helping our clients to resolve their disputes at an early stage. Some of the ways we can support you include:
- Providing advice and assistance on quantifiable losses at an early stage, usually in the form of legally privileged, confidential advice
- Assisting in negotiation and mediation by offering sensible, pragmatic advice, and providing advocacy services where appropriate in formal negotiation processes.
We can also help where a contract requires an expert determination. As members of the ICAEW Presidents’ Appointment Scheme, we know how to run cost-efficient and successful expert determination processes. We also help clients to draft submissions and in negotiating the right outcome.
Expert Witness
Expert Witness
We uphold the highest levels of professionalism and rigour, and the breadth of expertise across the Azets group allows us to offer specialist reports and testimony across a range of cases and scenarios.
Commercial proceedings
In commercial proceedings, we assess and report to the Court on accounting and quantum issues relating to:
- Loss of profits and consequential loss
- Partnership and shareholder disputes
- Breach of warranty claims
- Business interruption (and associated insurance claims)
- Product liability/recall
- Directors’ breach of fiduciary duties
- Fraudulent and wrongful trading
- Mortgage disputes
- Commercial agency disputes
- Professional negligence
- Clinical negligence claims
- Personal injury claims
Divorce proceedings
The division of assets in divorce proceedings can be emotional and complex.
Our forensic accounting team has extensive experience in dealing with these difficult and sensitive cases. We use our expertise to value business assets such as shareholdings in private companies, and to identify how the funds may be extracted from the business. We also work with our tax colleagues to ensure we thoroughly address all implications.
Our forensic accounting team has extensive experience in dealing with these difficult and sensitive cases. We use our expertise to value business assets such as shareholdings in private companies, and to identify how the funds may be extracted from the business. We also work with our tax colleagues to ensure we thoroughly address all implications.
Our forensic team have prepared a significant number of FPR compliant expert reports and have given evidence in court in relation to:
- Share valuation
- Company Liquidity
- Tax consequences
- Maintainable earnings assessments
Criminal proceedings and proceeds of crime
Our forensic accounting team regularly prepare, or review the accuracy and reasonableness of, detailed financial analyses created to support criminal prosecutions. We have experience across a number of offences including theft, fraud, wrongful trading, money laundering and tax evasion. Our reports are always impartial, clear and cost effective. We act for both prosecution and defence.
We also assist in Proceeds of Crime (POCA) hearings. Through analysis of volumes of financial records, we can help the Court in determining the correct sum for confiscation. We bring efficiency, clarity and integrity to every case.
We agree to work at the rates mandated by the Legal Services Commission wherever appropriate.
Fraud Investigations
Fraud Investigations
Our forensic accountancy team are experienced in conducting fraud investigations of all sizes, as well as investigating failures of accounting controls. Whether you think that your business has been subject to fraud committed by an employee or compromised by a third party, we can help. This includes instances of cyber-crime.
All our investigations are conducted in a confidential and sensitive manner, and we ensure the highest standards of evidence handling in the case of potential criminal proceedings. We work closely with our clients’ legal advisors to ensure a tightly focused investigation covered by legal privilege protection and draw on computer forensic technology specialists where required.
As well as providing factual investigation reports to our clients and the necessary authorities, we help you understand how to prevent similar incidents from occurring again. By uncovering any weaknesses in your system that allowed the fraud to take place and assisting you with measures such as risk reviews and staff training, we leave you safer and stronger than before.
Non Contentious Valuations
Non Contentious Valuations
Our dedicated business and asset valuation team has decades of experience providing a range of valuations. We work with clients of all types including global groups, SMEs, private clients, trustees and lawyers, tailoring our budget and approach to every project.
In respect of intangible asset valuations for financial reporting/business combination purposes we offer free scoping consultations and pre-agreed fixed pricing per Cash Generating Unit.
Employer Covenant Reviews
Employer Covenant Reviews
Trustees are required to make an objective assessment of the employer's financial position and prospects and assess the ability of the employer to fund scheme benefits on an ongoing basis. This can be a contentious, onerous task.
Our team are on hand to help, providing independent employer covenant assessments that are cost effective, clear and compliant with regulatory best practice.
As well as performing assessments to underpin trustees’ selection of appropriate actuarial assumptions, we can offer guidance in their funding negotiations with employers and support your consideration of reasonably affordable contributions under the Pension Regulator’s guidance.
We also consider the impact of corporate changes on an employer covenant and advise trustees on the most appropriate mitigating actions.
Whatever your employer covenant needs, our approach will be pragmatic, realistic and straightforward.
Throughout the process, I was always able to contact Martin and his team to receive updates regarding progress and to discuss matters regularly . The final report prepared was excellent and without doubt presented in such a way , the Prosecution eventually agreed to resolve the Confiscation Proceedings, by agreeing to a significantly reduced benefit and available amount. This extremely favourable result would not have been achieved without having instructed Martin Chapman at Azets.
Instructing Solicitor
Confiscation Proceedings
Investigate what Azets can do for you
In the event that you’d need forensic accountancy advice or services, Azets will support you with the challenges and disruption disputes can bring. We’ll help you maintain financial integrity and transparency to mitigate risks and prevent significant financial losses.